April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

Lynne, that post was awesome and said it so well! Exactly how I feel, OK. Brilliantly put into words.

A note today from one of my "peeps": at work:

I thought you were one of the "Beautiful People" before, now it is going to be double!!

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Lynne - What a great post and so true.

Sue - What a lovely note to get at work, you have some good people supporting you through your journey.

Addie - I was having regular periods before chemo. I just got AC#4 yesterday. My second period after starting chemo started on time but just spotting and then later in week got what i would call light. Would not be surprised if i don't have a period next month.

Don' recall who but someone asked about neulasta with taxol. I was told this week that i would no longer get neulasta once i started taxol in 2 weeks and that they would keep an eye on my blood counts and add neuprogen if my blood counts warranted it.

I liked the bio idea, so here is mine.

Born in Compton, California. When i was 5 my parents moved to Wyoming, i graduated high school there and then about a year later joined the Army. Was in the Army for 3 years and prior to getting out i went to a technical school for computer programming and continue to work as an Application Analyst at a University. I married while in the Army but later divorced in 2002. Had another long term relationship but have parted ways and been living single and enjoying for the past 3 years. I enjoy traveling, to include just going for a drive in the country and sight seeing. I picked up kayaking last summer and am really missing it this year.

You all take care and keep up the good fight.

omg. These are great!!!!

Mel, I'm doing cold caps too!!!

sorry for not checking in for a while... My pneumonia was not completely cleared up on Xray, but MO thought I was fit enough to proceed to Taxol ( he still thought it's safer to skip the last AC). I am doing the dose-dense Taxol. During the infusion, I had chest stuffiness, so they stopped the infusion for a few minutes. When they resumed infusion, I still had a bit of chest discomfort, so they slowed the infusion. Turned out the whole infusion took much longer than AC. After the infusion, I was very dizzy and went straight to bed. The SEs so far are tolerable in the first coupe of days, just fatigue and numbness in fingertips (guess that's the neuropathy they are talking about). But starting the third day, I am starting to have bone pain everywhere...

Lynne and AnewBeginning, sorry about the toenail. I have heard that people can lose toenail while on AC. Hope there is no infection.

Fran, congratulations on finishing chemo. Worth a big celebration!

Rockerwife, love hour picture! you look absolutely great!

Kbee, when will you start your Taxol? Hope your Taxol goes smoothly

well today ended up to be a decent day. I felt good enough to do laundry, vacuum, dishes, clean All 3 of the kids rooms and even clean the garage. And now I am exhausted. I'm going to hate doing weekly treatments. I have one more ac than onto taxol. I hope taxol is nice to me.

this is just the best group of women, EVER! Thanks for all these posts which teach, guide, console, and inspire me. I am in a writing class with other cancer patients/ survivors. I wrote about stupid people this week, so Lynne's post made me smile. We are walking along the same path in our respective parts of the world

ha no vitamins but trying really hard to keep life the same as it was before. I don't want to let my kids see me sick. Yes I have my days where I just lounge around but for the most part I try to stay busy. I'm home all day with a 2 year old and my other 2 (11,6) are in school so I can get ally done. This last ac made me more nauseous than ever. My biggest se from ac is mouth sores, body aches, and fatigue. Actually the chemo makes me more sore than the neulasta.

Last AC done! Came home doped to the gills on ativan yesterday and just piled up on the couch. Finally coming out of it this morning,. No SES yes but burned mouth. Been taking my antacids and anti nauseas and drinking tons to flush it out. Hate that pink pee! We shall see what the next two weeks bring, I hope taxol is kind to me. My MO has ordered ice gloves and boots, and says they will monitor me to see if I need neulasta, but I may not. He said I'd be doing DD again but if it looked like I was going to be prone to neuropathy they would switch me to Taxotere? I think, but that once can only be given every 3 weeks. It's a hard decision, since I tally want to be done, but my job is very physical and I need my balance. Anyone have any input or experiences to share?

last ac for me is June 2nd. I can't wait to not have to ride that red devil anymore.

Good morning all!

Sorry to hear about the bad SE's some of you are experiencing.

Addie, you are a rock star! I don't know how you go through this with young kids. It's all I can do to look after myself - my husband and cats fend for themselves! Haha!

I'm doing pretty good after TC#2 on Thursday. Had mild nausea yesterday - took my Zofran morning and night, plus got a prescription for Maxeran and had one of those in the afternoon too. A bit of diarrhea and heartburn too. This morning the gastro stuff is gone, I am just really tired. I'll give myself the Neulasta injection tomorrow, I imagine I will be a bit sore after that. All in all, not too bad - so far!

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Andrea